University of Peradeniya News Volume 03, No. 10 October - December 2008 A quarterly update of important events of the University of Peradeniya University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, 20400, Sri Lanka. Agriculture Science and Technology Exhibition 2008 Agriculture Science and Technology Exhibition organized by the Faculty of Agriculture to mark 60 years of higher education in Agriculture was held during 8th to 12th October 2008. This was themed “Defining a New Dimension” with a view to creating awareness among the general public and all other stakeholders on the scientific and technological developments in the field of agriculture and allied sciences. Queues of public gathered at the exhibition site is at the apex of the Agricultural Studies pyramid - all universities in the country have given promi- nence to Agricultural Studies. He said that it is through them that an intellectual community en- gaged in Agriculture Studies has been created and that they, in their own way, constituted a vital seg- ment of the professional and intellectual elite in the Prof. Buddhi Marambe, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture country. The Hon. Minister, Hemakumara accompanying Mr. Maithreepala Sirisena, Hon. Minister of Nanayakkara who is an alumnus of the Postgradu- Agriculture to the exhibition site. ate Institute of Agriculture also spoke. The inaugural ceremony was graced by the Minis- ter of Agricultural Development and Agrarian Ser- vices Honourable Maithreepala Sirisena and the Minister of Higher Education Honourable Profes- sor Vishwa Warnapala and Honourable Hemakumara Nanayakkara. Mr. Maithreepala Sirisena, Honourable Minister of Agricultural De- velopment and Agrarian Services admired the role of the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Peradeniya in producing human resources to the Agriculture sector. He further emphasized the chal- lenging tasks of developing appropriate technol- ogy to achieve self sufficiency in other field Crops. Professor Warnapala in his speech acknowledged An undergraduate student demonstrating farm machinery that based on the wide experience of the Faculty of to the crowd Agriculture at the University of Peradeniya - which contd. page 2 University of Peradeniya News : http://www.pdn.ac.lk/news/newsletter.html Statistics & Information Unit, Senate Building Tel. : 081-2392433 University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya e-mail : [email protected] Prof. Buddhi Marambe, Dean Faculty of Agriculture stated that It was in the year 1948 that the then University of Ceylon initiated the nation’s first Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture. He further indicated that the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Peradeniya takes immense pride in commemorating the 60th anniversary of this milestone and, on that account organized this exhibition to announce the grand celebrations of its contributions to the nation. More than 60,000 people are reported to have visited the exhibition. Achievements NSF Awards for Research- 2007 The NSF Awards for 2007 in the field of Sciences were awarded to • Prof. M.A.K. Lakshman Dissanayake • Prof. M.A. Careem in the Department of Physics, Faculty of Science for the project Development of novel electro-active polymers; (a) Solid Polymer Electrolytes, and (b) Conducting Polymers for possible applications in Solid State Ionic Devices. Ms. Dilhani Jayathika completed her M.Phil. under this project. New Appointments • Prof. R. Sivakanesan, Head, Department of Dr. T.N.C. Athuarliya completed a 3 year term as Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine has been Director of the Medical Education Unit (MEU) in appointed as a member of the National Science December 2008. Dr. Kosala Marambe was appointed Foundation Research Committee on Health by the Vice-Chancellor as the new Director and Sciences as well as the National Science assumed duties in December 2008. Foundation Committee on Ethics of Science and Technology. Prof. Sivakanesan is the only member in the 2 committees from the University • A Cultural Show “Arangethram” by Krishna of Peradeniya. Priya Krishna Menon, a final year student in the Faculty of Arts, was held at the EOE • The Institute of Social Development in Kandy Pereira Theatre. (16 November 2008) has appointed Prof.R. Sivakanesan as a member of its Executive Committee. Conferences/Workshops/Seminars Progress Review Workshop The process of preparing the 10 year Development Frame Work (2007-2016) and the 04 year Corporate Plan (2007-2010) has now been fully completed. In order to 9 Review the progress achieved 9 Introduce revisions and new activities 9 Finalize the Faculty/ Division/ Centre plans for the next two years a two day workshop was held at the Goldi Sands Hotel, Negambo on 19 and 20 December 2008. It was attended by the Vice Chancellor, the Deputy Vice Chancellor all the Deans of Faculties, Administrative and Financial Officers, and Heads of Divisions/ Centres/ Units. Some of the Council members and invitees participated as reviewers/ Participants at the workshop held at Hotel observers. Goldi Sands Page 2 • Prof. H. Abeygunawardena, the Vice-Chancellor • A lecture titled “Why Nuclear Disarmament attended the ACU Conference of Executive matters for Sri Lanka” was delivered by Mr. Heads, held at Hyderabad, India (28 – 30 Nov) Jayantha Dhanapala at the PGIS Auditorium on 04 November 2008. The event was organized • Dr. T.S. Samarakone, and Dr. A.R.S.B. Athauda by the PUGWASH, Sri Lanka in association from the Department of Animal Science, Faculty with PGIS. of Agriculture participated at a workshop on “Developing National Guidelines for production • A workshop cum health camp was conducted of Animal of Animal participants in Research” for 70 butchers and meat producers at the organized by the Forum of Ethics Review Institute of Continuing Education, Gannoruwa Committee in Sri Lanka on 11th September 2008 , sponsored by the Home and Abroad Animal at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Welfare, UK and co-ordinated by Dr. L.N.A Colombo. de Silva of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, and the Veterinary • Dr. A.R.S.B. Athauda from the Department of Department of the Kandy Municipal Council. Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture The function was inaugurated by the Kandy participated at a Workshop on “Market trends Municipal Commissioner Mr. W.A.R. in Fisheries and aquaculture in Sri Lanka” on 23 Wimalasiri and chaired by the Kandy Municipal September 2008 at the Sri Lanka Council for Chief Veterinary Surgeon Dr. S.R. Jayasinghe. Agriculture Research Policy (CARP), Colombo Dr. A.R. Mohamed of the Department of 07. Veterinary Basic Sciences addressed the gathering on “Salient Features of Animal • Prof. R. Sivakanesan (Head, Department of Slaughter and Hygienic Meat Production”. A Biochemistry) attended a Workshop as a resource health camp for the participants was also participant on Developing National Guidelines conducted by Dr. Ranjith Jayasekera, Medical for the Protection of “Animal Participants” in Officer of the National Transport Medical Research held on 11 September 2008 at the Institute, Kandy. Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo. • Prof. P. Abeynayake and Dr. J.M.K.J.K. • A Workshop on “Findings from the Survey of Premaratne participated in an Expert Workshop Students Hostels at UoP/ Applied Research on “Better Food Security through Improved Project” was held at Ramanathan Hall 10 Food Safety” which was organized to November 2008. commemorate Food Safety Week on 24 and 25 October 2008 at Hotel Galadari, Colombo. This • 02nd and 03rd Workshops on “Inventory Control workshop was hosted by the WHO. & Fixed Assets Management” organized by the Corporate Management Division in collaboration • A group of staff members of the Faculty of with the Staff Development Centre , was held Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science under at the Senate Room on 11 November and 05 the stewardship of Dr. I.S. Abeygunawardene December 2008. These workshops were attended participated in an awareness program for by non academic staff, Heads of academic students of Gamini Central College, Nuwara Departments and administrative Officers. Eliya on 31.10.2008 to select the relevant subjects for the Advanced Level. Towards Understanding Psychology This November, the University was the setting for a psychology, the challenges and opportunities for conference organized by Sri Lankan psychologists expanding the discipline of psychology in the that brought together psychologists, students, national system of higher education and the urgent University officials, members of the community demand for trained psychologists in settings such (including several Buddhist clergy), and a broad as mental health facilities, humanitarian agencies, range of social scientists for a day of discussion the military, and the corporate sector. centered on the theme Toward Understanding Psychology: A Multi-Perspective Exploration of The following day, psychologists who had attended Psychology in the Sri Lankan Context. The one-day the conference met at the Hilltop hotel to discuss meeting, opened by Prof. H. Abeyagunawardena, the needs of the discipline in the country and agreed the Vice Chancellor and attended by about 200 Sri to form a psychology association, the first in the Lankans and several international speakers and country. guests, explored different approaches and views of Page 3 Training Programmes • Dr. Pradeepa Silva, Dr. C.M.B. educational research, ethics and Dematawewa, Dr. A.R.S.B. Athauda and Dr. professionalism and the Sri Lankan Janak K. Vidanarachchi of the Department university system.